Monday, December 8, 2014

Stokes' ride gets uncomfortable

Ben Stokes endured a difficult evening with the ball, Sri Lanka v England, 3rd ODI, Hambantota, December 3, 2014
Ben Stokes' tour has not gone to plan so far
With regard to England within Sri Lanka to date, it's been an instance associated with tinkering beneath the cover, repairing the sprocket right here, altering the enthusiast belt presently there, maintaining their own one-day jalopy on the highway, in no way thoughts the actual nicks and also the flaking paintwork which threatening whirring seem from the wear out. Britain tend to be on the Globe Mug street journey as well as, for the time being, they're simply attempting to keep your motor operating and also the expenses lower -- even though these people do permit on their own the posh of the good brand new atmosphere freshener through selecting Wayne Taylor upon Weekend.

It's turn out to be an ever more rough trip with regard to Bill Stokes, the actual allrounder who does end up being full. It's not difficult to find individuals to polish upon concerning the 23-year-old -- Dorrie Harmison lately stated he or she had been among the best youthful gamers he'd observed, whilst Ashley Giles known as Stokes among England's "greatest assets" prior to he or she had been chosen within the Ashes visiting celebration this past year -- however their shows within Sri Lanka happen to be much more pauper compared to knight in shining armor.

Within 3 fits, their effect may be limited by twenty two operates within 2 innings as well as, much more considerably, 8 overs in a price associated with eighty-five. He or she had been maintained for that 4th ODI within Colombo from the intuition of these that experienced Britain might perform along with an additional rewrite choice on the dried out message -- compelling the reason through stand-in chief Eoin Morgan how the group administration had been getting the actual lengthy look at as well as attempting to provide Stokes the operate within the aspect to be able to show their Globe Mug qualifications.

It's a situation associated with short-term discomfort with regard to Britain, who're right now 3-1 lower within the sequence along with 3 in order to perform, however the scenario presently doesn't seem like becoming a lot enjoyable with regard to Stokes, possibly. He's experienced issues with the actual footholds within their shipping step, leading to him or her in order to frown as well as scuff the actual grass, and it has battled to sit in actively playing worldwide cricket within the subcontinent with regard to the very first time. Actually their fielding, usually amongst England's greatest, offers experienced. Possibly a visit to the chillier slope nation, in which the following 2 video games is going to be performed within Pallekele, can offer a few respite.

Taylor starving with regard to much more possibilities
Wayne Taylor referred to rating ninety in just their 3rd ODI because "bittersweet" following Britain dropped within Colombo to visit 3-1 lower within the sequence however stated he or she experienced he'd demonstrated a place in order to people who stated he or she didn't possess the online game in order to perform from worldwide degree.
Taylor created the greatest rating through a good Britain Absolutely no. 3 because Jonathan Trott's hundred years towards Brand new Zealand from Southampton within 2013 in order to reinforce their declare on the Globe Mug place. He or she stated he'd softball bat where ever requested in order to through Chris Moores as well as Alastair Prepare as well as thinks he is able to nevertheless perform much better -- even though he  or she had been uncertain regardless of whether it'll result in happen to be an additional "one-off opportunity" along with Prepare because of come back through suspension within Pallekele.
"Having not really performed for some time as well as already been waiting around within the wings it had been good in order to show a place to numerous individuals however We understood I possibly could get it done, inch he or she stated. "It is actually good which i possess obtained several operates right now and so i have the actual self-confidence basically obtain an additional chance to try it again.
"In yesteryear there's been some good gamers actively playing with regard to Britain which is most likely already been the very first time that the actual space offers opened as well as permitted me personally in order to actually enter the actual team. We lastly obtained considering the fact that opportunity as well as We required this through rating ninety however certainly I'd possess loved in order to rating some more operates.
"I attempted to complete precisely what Used to do within region cricket this season as well as I believe a person noticed lots of which during my innings. This was not my personal the majority of fluent and also the good point is actually I believe I will perform much better. However I acquired the actual works on the panel as well as obtained the actual group inside a good placement that we believe is actually my personal work however regrettably all of us could not very construct upon which. inch
For many, it had been usually likely to end up being by doing this. The actual possible difficulties with actively playing a set within Sri Lanka included in formulations for any Globe Mug within Australasia had been obvious in the start. For that seam assault, it's such as becoming requested in order to audition for any part because mind cook in a five-star resort along with just one skillet, the parmesan cheese grater as well as fifty percent the actual elements needed through the formula.

Within the last 2 video games, Britain possess willing in the direction of actively playing Moeen Ali because their own primary rewrite choice, partially due to their ongoing improvement as well as simply because they know the actual characteristics Wayne Tredwell provides, but additionally along with vibrant reminiscences associated with the way the offspin associated with Graeme Swann as well as Tredwell had been brutalised within Sydney 12 several weeks back. Which has remaining Stokes becoming requested in order to cut veggies having a dull chef's knife, even though the one that might nevertheless create a weakling fingertip.

In the event that Stokes will be a injury, it will likely be sensible in order to query regardless of whether Britain possess created greatest utilization of their capabilities. Prior to arriving aside, Stokes talked associated with acquiring a definite part inside the group; in the earlier sequence towards Indian, he'd talked about playing baseball from Absolutely no. 7 along with Chris Moores, England's mind trainer, as well as created just their 2nd 30-plus rating within the earn from Headingley. He's because already been shuffled right down to Absolutely no. 8, in spite of thinking about themself the top-six batsman, as well as appears sick comfortable along with the necessity to control themself within as well as develop a relationship, because may be the situation within their 2 innings.

Their insufficient type using the golf ball indicates he's already been remaining obtaining the actual bits-and-pieces. While at the conclusion from the 2013 period Giles experienced observed match to make use of Stokes like a 3rd seamer -- he or she assigned the actual sequence having a five-wicket carry from Southampton -- Britain right now use him or her just below discomfort. Becoming strike from the assault through Kusal Perera earlier within the starting complement didn't assist their trigger however he or she had been the actual 6th bowler to become utilized in Hambantota and also the 7th upon Weekend, every time given just 2 overs. Britain might declare to become staying with him or her however they aren't utilizing a powerful adhesive.

Hafeez's action found to be illegal

 Mohammad Hafeez, the actual Pakistan allrounder that bowls offspin, may be suspended through bowling within international cricket following he unsuccessful a check on their action carried out at a good ICC certified centre within Loughborough, Britain. The evaluation, an ICC declaration said, found the actual flex within his motion exceeds the actual 15-degree limit for those deliveries.

Hafeez experienced first already been reported whilst playing with regard to Lahore Lions throughout the Champions Category T20, but which sanction didn't apply in order to international cricket. He had been reported again following the first Check against Brand new Zealand within Abu Dhabi within November.

He will be permitted to bowl within internationals again only one time his motion, post modification, is reassessed through the ICC. Within the interim, he is able to continue in order to bowl within domestic cricket according to the PCB's directions. According in order to ICC rules, if a person who may be reassessed as well as cleared is actually reported another time, within 2 yrs of the actual date associated with commencement from the first suspension, she or he will then get a minimum suspension of 1 year, and may apply once again for reassessment just after seated out annually.

Several worldwide offspinners, such as Sri Lanka's Sachithra Senanayake, Brand new Zealand's Kane Williamson, Zimbabwe's Succeed Utseya as well as Bangladesh's Sohag Gazi have obtained suspensions with regard to illegal actions this season. Hafeez may be the second Pakistan offspinner to become suspended within the last three several weeks, Saeed Ajmal being another. Remodelling associated with Ajmal's motion is nicely underway right now, with good signs from two unofficial reassessments -- his doosra remains the only real ball shipped illegally, their second unofficial check in Loughborough decided, and he's hopeful to be ready over time to perform the 2015 Globe Cup within February-March.

The instant effect associated with Hafeez's suspension is going to be felt whenever Pakistan undertake New Zealand inside a five-match ODI sequence, in the actual UAE, through Monday. Pakistan group manager as well as chief selector Moin Khan said it might also impact World Mug preparations. "It's the setback for all of us, " Moin had been quoted because saying through AFP. "Hafeez's suspension can impact our preparations for that World Mug, but we now have no question over their ability like a batsman and he'll play [against New Zealand] upon Monday. inch

After he or she was documented in The fall of, Hafeez experienced said he'll not allow scrutiny upon his bowling reach him an excessive amount of, saying he'd never seen himself just as much of bowler as well as would continue to pay attention to his playing baseball instead. He experienced also stated there shouldn't be a "pick-and-choose" solution to identify bowlers along with suspect measures in worldwide cricket as well as all bowlers ought to undergo screening.

Fit-looking Dhoni a chance to play

The actual contrast couldn't happen to be starker. MS Dhoni inside a sleeveless best, bulging biceps entirely view, fancy haircut, speaking with everyone, kidding around, bowling 1 moment, padded in the next, new-looking Spartan bats at hand. Wriddhiman Saha inside a full-sleeved jacket, prim locks, keeping their own counsel, but nonetheless padded upward. They was next to one another as these people waited their own turns. The small Saha appeared smaller alongside Dhoni whilst they spoken briefly after which went in order to bat within adjacent netting. Unless Indian make the actual unprecedented choice to perform Dhoni like a specialist batsman, only among the two may play from Adelaide Oblong on Wednesday.

For the very best part associated with last 30 days, since the actual squad had been selected upon November 10, Saha may be thinking he'll play the very first Test within Australia. Which looks critically doubtful right now. Dhoni have been left out of the first Test to recuperate from the hairline break on their right usb. India didn't want in order to risk irritating the injury since the World Mug is close to. However, the very first Test Dhoni had been to skip was to start on Dec 4.

Since Test may be rescheduled in order to December 9, has moved in the Gabba towards the friendlier Adelaide Oblong, and Dhoni has already established five additional days to recuperate. He has return looking match. If you've watched India's services regularly, however didn't understand of Dhoni's damage, you would not have guessed there is any question around Dhoni's involvement in Adelaide.

In their first work out on this particular tour, about twenty four hours after coming in Sydney, Dhoni do everything he or she does prior to any Check. He started by bowling an extended spell associated with medium-pace, lengthier than he or she usually will, going around the wicket sometimes to imitate the left-arm quick's position for their batsmen. He additionally banged in a number of bouncers. He bowled for nearly so long as the best six batted, within sets associated with three -- Shikhar Dhawan, Michael Vijay as well as Cheteshwar Pujara very first, followed through Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane as well as Rohit Sharma. Right before the 2nd set obtained over, Dhoni halted bowling. He or she put their pads upon, and had an ordinary hit in the centre. He additionally spent considerable time having one-on-one talks with Duncan Fletcher, Ravi Shastri, Kohli as well as Pujara.


A person with the thumb damage can't softball bat or dish for such a long time. All signs indicate Dhoni becoming fit for that Test, although the team continued to be secretive, since it usually will with any kind of fitness problems. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, for instance, has not really been getting involved in any training for any whole 7 days, but the actual team have been maintaining no one was not fit until revealing a personal injury two days prior to the Test. Same may be the case along with Dhoni right now.


We may not know before toss regardless of whether Dhoni may play, but you will find enough quarrels to suggest he may not. When the original choice to relaxation him had been a preventive move, his showing up fit shouldn't change things an excessive amount of. Also, getting arrived just on Sunday, has he'd enough time for you to acclimatise, lacking played the warm-up online game? He didn't be a part of any wicketkeeping exercise, but don't allow that guide you: Dhoni seldom keeps in services during a set.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Russell signs for Melbourne Renegades











"I'm really looking forward to getting to Australia and playing a key role for the Melbourne Renegades this season," Russell said. "The Renegades have a talented squad this year with a good mix of big hitters and great bowlers so I want to contribute to the team in both areas this season. The Melbourne crowds are well known for being passionate about sport and I'm excited to experience that atmosphere at Etihad Stadium."
Russell has an experience of 124 T20 matches till now by playing in the IPL, the Friends Life t20 in England in 2013, the Bangladesh Premier League and the Caribbean Premier League. He is currently representing Knights in the Ram Slam T20 tournament in South Africa, where he struck two consecutive fifties recently - one off 19 deliveries and the other off 30. His overall strike rate is an impressive 163.90 and he has 79 wickets, but with an economy of 8.28.
Renegades coach Simon Helmot said signing an allrounder like Russell would add to their existing bowling options. "We've got some really solid batting talent across the line up and we were keen to add an explosive allrounder within our squad," he said. "Andre fits that bill and increases our bowling options with the likes of Peter Siddle, Nathan Rimmington, Fawad Ahmed, Aaron O'Brien and James Pattinson as he continues his return from injury."
The BBL starts on December 18 and the Renegades will begin their campaign the next day against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Shakib is a good boy: BCB president

Shakib 's Hasan was any "reckless" boy to numerous of Bangladesh Cricket Board

Yet now BCB chief executive, Nazmul Hassan, considers that Shakib will be, overall, a excellent man.

Many changes were within his attitudes and so the ban on his / her playing abroad continues to be withdrawn, he extra.

On 7 Come july 1st, the cricket regulators suspended star all-rounder Shakib 's Hasan for half a year because of his / her severe attitude difficulty.

BCB president next said the table had unanimously made a decision to suspend Shakib from all sorts of competitive cricket matches for your next six weeks, ruling him away from Bangladesh's tour with the West Indies inside Augus.
members. In reality, Shakib was banned for a few months for his recklessness about July last.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

BCB confident on getting Ganguly on board after World Cup

Sunday, November 30, 2014

SLC takes steps to weed out chuckers

Sri Lanka Cricket's drive to eradicate chucking from its system has gained momentum, with umpires and school coaches contributing to the cause immensely.
SLC began their crusade by appointing former international umpire Tyron Wijewardene as their umpires' educator in April, after Wijewardene had completed an ICC Coach the Coaches course in Nagpur. Wijewardene had officiated in four Tests, 52 ODIs and seven T20Is between 2001 and 2013.
"Before the program was put in place, certain school coaches allowed bowlers to bowl as they pleased because they somehow wanted to win matches, even though they knew for certain that their actions were questionable," Wijewardene explained. "But since we gave the green light to the umpires, there has been a severe awareness and all coaches know if there is a bowler with a suspect action, the umpires are going to report him."
When the program began, SLC reported around 25 bowlers with suspect actions in the Under-23 tournament. But after the board expanded their scope to more schools, namely in the Under-13, 15, 17 and 19 age groups, that figure has risen to more than 110.
Wijewardene attributes this increase to the school coaches being made aware that unless they made an effort to correct the bowler's suspect action, he could be reported or called at a match by the umpire and prevented from bowling.
"Now there is a severe awareness program where even the coaches know what's happening. They are worried about their bowlers and sometimes they call the district coaches to come and have a look at their bowlers. There is a positive response from the school coaches who also feel that this menace has to be eradicated."
Wijewardene cited an example where at an Under-13 tournament school match, six bowlers from a Colombo school were stopped from bowling by the umpire for chucking. As the school had no other bowlers to complete the scheduled number of overs - two bowlers had already completed their quota and the others could not bowl - the umpires had no option but to abandon the match. The most number of bowlers reported or called for chucking at a match prior to that incident was two from one school.
Wijewardene said that the SLC took a serious view of eradicating chuckers from domestic and school cricket after Sri Lanka offspinner Sachithra Senanayake was reported by ICC officials during the team's tour of England in May.
"Hashan Tillakaratne, now a national selector, told me that there were several bowlers with suspect actions bowling in school matches but the umpires were not doing anything. Since we gave the greenlight to the umpires, they are doing their job properly from Under-13 level upwards at all school and club tournaments played in Sri Lanka."
Overall, there are 35 district coaches involved who are overlooking schools covering the entire country.
"The program which is being conducted on a two-year trial basis has gone 100% and in a positive way," Wijewardene said. "The positive aspect is that the coaches have taken it upon themselves the importance of remedying the actions of such bowlers. It's a very good response from them and it is encouraging to note that they have taken a very serious view of it. We want to ensure that within the next two-three years, chuckers will be eradicated from our system."

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Moin Khan to continue as manager and chief selector: PCB


Former Pakistan keeper-batsman will stay on 
as chief selector and team manager © Getty
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will announce a new national selection committee next month but will allow Moin Khan to continue in his roles as chief selector and team manager till the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Speaking to the media after the meeting of the Board of Governors in Lahore, PCB chairman, Shaharyar Khan said the board would announce four new selectors early next next month who would work with Moin.
In an earlier interview, the PCB chairman had said that the board was considering Naved Akram Cheema, a senior bureaucrat to manage the team during the ICC World Cup 2015. Shaharyar had said that the board was waiting for the Punjab government to release Akram Cheema from his position as Chief Secretary of the province. However, that did not work out for PCB.
Shaharyar Khan also made it clear that Moin Khan apart, Mushtaq Ahmed would also continue in his dual roles till the World Cup and saw no reasons for that to change as they were doing a good job. He said PCB didn't want to tinker with core support staff ahead of the World Cup. 
"Moin, Mushtaq Ahmed and Aisha Ashar will continue to do their dual jobs but seven other employees of the board who have are doing dual jobs have been told to choose one position," he said.
While Moin is the chief selector and manager of the national team, Mushtaq Ahmed is bowling coach with the National Cricket Academy in Lahore and also spin bowling consultant of the national team. 
Khan also announced that suspended off-spinner Saeed Ajmal would undergo another private biomechanic test in the UK next week after which he would be asked to play in domestic matches. 
"After he does that, we will request the ICC to carry out his official test," said Khan, adding he was hopeful that his bowling action issue would be resolved before PCB has to send the final squad for the World Cup to the ICC in the first week of January.





Thursday, November 27, 2014

BCB president backs Mashrafe captaincy

Mashrafe Mortaza celebrates the wicket off Nasir Jamshed, Bangladesh v Pakistan, Asia Cup, final, Mirpur, March 22, 2012
Mashrafe Mortaza celebrates the wicket off Nasir Jamshed 
Mashrafe Mortaza has received a vote of confidence of BCB president Nazmul Hassan to lead Bangladesh in the World Cup. He was appointed captain for the ODI series against Zimbabwe after the captaincy was split across formats for the first time.
Bangladesh lead the five-match ODI series 3-0 with Mashrafe performing well with the new ball and Mushfiqur Rahim, who he has replaced as ODI captain, also doing well with the bat. Mushfiqur was removed from ODI captaincy after he led the team to 12 losses in the first 13 ODIs this season.
The BCB chief said that he was happy with the ODI captaincy status, and has a contingency plan if Mashrafe's injury worries catch up.
"The decision [to choose the captain] is not yet taken but I think we are doing well with two captains," Hassan said. "I don't see any reason to change things around. Possibly, he [Mashrafe] will remain the captain. Since he has a long history with injuries, Shakib has been kept as his deputy. Mushfiq is our middle-order mainstay and we don't want to burden him with batting, wicketkeeping and captaincy."
Mashrafe was later seen entering the BCB president's corporate office after the press conference, though he said it was for a personal reason.
The BCB president however said that they won't be sending the team to Dubai for a tournament which also involves Zimbabwe and several Associates despite the board agreeing principally last week.
"We had considered going to Dubai but we took everyone's opinion and decided not to go. We have informed them [the ICC] in a letter that we won't be taking part in the tournament. It will be risky to play in such a competition so close to the World Cup.
"After the current Zimbabwe series, the players will be busy in the Dhaka Premier League. So we don't want them to be too busy before the World Cup," Hassan said. "I have reports that Tamim Iqbal needs to rest, so we have to keep their fitness in mind as well. We have organised practice matches in Australia as we will arrive there early."
The decision means that the fifth ODI against Zimbabwe will be Bangladesh's last international game before the World Cup.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Shakib stars as hosts shrug off Zimbabwe in first ODI


Bangladesh Vs Zimbabwe 1st ODI

Zimbabwe have won the toss and have opted to field


Bangladesh team:Bangladesh Team
Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim†, Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mashrafe Mortaza*, Arafat Sunny, Al-Amin Hossain, Rubel Hossain
Bangladesh may have comprehensively overpowered Zimbabwe in Tests but ODIs offer a different challenge. The hosts are on equal footing with the African team in this format. They have lost their last five one dayers while the visitors have only managed to win one out of their last five. Zimbabwe are a slightly changed team. They are expected to give chances to a few young players and will be looking forward to make up for their Test series loss. For Bangladesh, Mashrafe Mortaza will be leading the side. Bowling wise they are a better side and will be hoping their spinners fluster Zimbabwe yet again as they did in the longer format. We will bring you the toss and teams shortly, stay tuned/

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Nasir, seamers journey up Zimbabweans


The actual Zimbabweans' woes continued on the tour to Bangladesh, because they were convincingly beaten through the BCB XI inside a warm-up game prior to five-match ODI sequence that begins upon Friday.

The Zimbabweans made a decision to bowl in the actual 13-per-side game, as well as their bowlers loved some early achievement, reducing the hosting companies to 51 for 3 within the 15th over. However a half-century stand was placed on by Shamsur Rahman as well as Sabbir Rahman for that fourth wicket to ensure the team did not slump. They dropped in quick sequence, Shamsur for forty-nine, before a 94-run sixth-wicket relationship at 6. 55 between Shuvagata Hom as well as Nasir Hossain set them on the way to an extremely competitive 282. While part-time seamer Vusi Sibanda got probably the most wickets - 4 - he had been expensive like a lot of his team-mates; just new-ball bowler Neville Madziva as well as legspinner Tafadzwa Kamungozi proceeded to go at under the run a golf ball.

The Zimbabweans experienced a promising begin in the chase with 40 for that first wicket through Brendan Taylor as well as Regis Chakabva, and 77 for that third between Sikandar Raza as well as Timycen Maruma, but a slide followed and also the team never retrieved. They lost 6 wickets for thirty six runs, going from 132 for just two to 168 with regard to 8. The BCB XI bowlers discussed the wickets close to, with, somewhat remarkably, the seamers being more one of the wickets than the actual spinners. The Zimbabweans had been eventually bowled away for 194 within the 46th over.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Bhuvneshwar named BCCI player from the year.

Indian seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar may be the winner of the actual Polly Umrigar Honor for 2013-14, the actual BCCI has introduced. Former India chief, Dilip Vengsarkar, will have the CK Nayudu Life time Achievement Award. The awards is going to be handed out within Mumbai on The fall of 21.

Bhuvneshwar scored 263 operates and took twenty two wickets in seven Tests throughout the qualification period in between October 2013 as well as September 2014. He was among the bright spots with regard to India during a good otherwise disappointing Check series in Britain, scoring 247 runs using the bat and getting 19 wickets from 26. 63. His unbeaten 63 helped along side it draw the very first Test at Trent Bridge and throughout the Lord's Test, which India won, Bhuvneshwar contributed having a six-for in the very first innings and an important half-century in India's 2nd innings. In 22 ODIs throughout the same period, he or she took 17 wickets.
Vengsarkar, among India's batting greats, is better known for being the very first batsman to rating three centuries towards England at Lord's. He became the 2nd player, after Sunil Gavaskar, to play 100 Assessments for India as well as was also an associate of the 1983 Globe Cup-winning team. On the career spanning sixteen years, Vengsarkar obtained 6868 runs within 116 Tests as well as 3508 runs within 129 ODIs. He also led along side it in 10 Assessments between 1987 as well as 1989. Vengsarkar will obtain Rs 25 lakh included in the award, while Bhuvneshwar is going to be awarded Rs 5 lakh.
Jammu & Kashmir allrounder Parvez Rasool was named the very best allrounder in the actual 2013-14 Ranji Trophy -- he scored 663 operates and took 28 wickets in 9 games - whilst Vinay Kumar, who captained Karnataka to some domestic treble final season won the very best allrounder in household limited-overs competitions. Kedar Jadhav -- 1223 runs -- and Rishi Dhawan -- 49 wickets -- were awarded for finishing since the leading run-scorer as well as wicket-taker respectively within Ranji Trophy 2013-14.
Eighteen-year-old Indian Women's batsman Smriti Mandhana, who scored an essential half-century during the actual side's Test earn against England Ladies in August, had been named best 

Sunday, November 16, 2014

BCCI calls meeting to decide on AGM and election

The BCCI has decided to call an emergent working committee meeting in Chennai on November 18 to decide whether to postpone only the board's election, or the annual general meeting as well. The conundrum had arisen after the Supreme Court on Friday stressed that   cannot seek re-election till the probe into the IPL corruption scandal is complete.
Ever since conclusion of the Supreme Court proceedings, there has been a confusion among the BCCI members about the status of the AGM. Soon after the court made it clear that Srinivasan cannot contest on November 20, BCCI counsel C Aryama Sundaram sought permission to postpone the AGM by four weeks, which was reportedly granted to him. However, it is understood that at least three member associations wrote to BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel asking him not to postpone the AGM.
The election of the president, secretary, joint-secretary, treasurer and five vice-presidents is only one of the several issues on the agenda of the AGM, which has already been pushed back by a couple of months. It was supposed to be conducted by September 30, but, due to the ongoing investigation into the IPL 2013 spot-fixing case and Srinivasan's role in the same, the working committee had decided on September 26 to have the AGM on November 20.
According to the BCCI's rulebook, notice for an emergent working committee meeting needs to be issued at least 72 hours in advance. Though the members haven't been formally notified so far, most of the working committee members have been notified verbally about the meeting.
Some of the BCCI's members have questioned the action of the BCCI counsel to keep pushing back the AGM, though. Also, former BCCI president Shashank Manohar, who has emerged as the flag-bearer of the anti-Srinivasan movement in the BCCI, said on Friday that the AGM dates cannot be altered. "However it appears that during today's [court] hearing, as soon as the names of Srinivasan and [Gurunath] Meiyappan were disclosed, the Counsel for the Board made a request for the postponement of the AGM and elections scheduled to be held on 20th November," Manohar had said.
After taking legal advice and having multiple rounds of discussion, the BCCI hierarchy was convinced that if it postponed the AGM, or the election, without the working committee's approval, it would lead to another legal battle, so the meeting was called.
It is also understood that the office-bearers are in favour of proceeding with the AGM but postponing the elections till the Supreme Court decides Srinivasan's fate. Apart from the election, the AGM usually lists several matters, including confirmation of minutes of the previous general meetings, adoption of the secretary's review report, adoption of treasurer's report and the audited accounts, adoption of the annual budget, appointment of auditors, election of working committee, standing committees and other sub-committees, consideration of reports and recommendations of various committees, and appointing India's representative to the ICC.
"The election can held in a SGM [special general meeting], so [postponing] it would give every interested and eligible candidate a fair opportunity," said an insider privy to discussions.
For the first time in the last 18 months, the Srinivasan camp appears to be on the backfoot, following the Supreme Court directive to bar him from contesting the election. Also, the opposition group of Manohar and Mumbai Cricket Association chief Sharad Pawar has hinted at opening a front against Srinivasan in the election.
A member of the opposing faction said it was "high time" all the current office-bearers resign in the wake of the Supreme Court diktat. "For the last one and half years, they are being adamant on holding on to their posts, which is doing no good to Indian cricket's image," he said. "At least now, they should resign. Otherwise, we will be forced to oust them during the election."


Friday, November 14, 2014

Zimbabwe Cricket offers Bangladesh ODIs in January

BCB chief Nazmul Hassan has said that Zimbabwe Cricket has offered Bangladesh an ODI series in January as preparation for the 2015 World Cup. The BCB however are yet to decide the matter internally, he added.
"We are currently playing on wickets that are very different than the ones we will face in the 2015 World Cup," Hassan said. "Zimbabwe has offered us to play an ODI series in their home venue before the World Cup, since their conditions are quite similar to what we can expect in Australia. We like their proposal, but we need to discuss the matter with BCB's cricket operations committee and our head coach. Only then we will decide on touring Zimbabwe."
After the five-match ODI series between the two sides ends on December 1, Bangladesh players will take part in the Dhaka Premier League before leaving for the World Cup in Australia on January 24. Zimbabwe, however, have no international matches scheduled once they complete their commitments in Bangladesh. It is understood that ZC has apparently asked for the short ODI series to take place from January 10, which has been received favorably by the BCB chief.